Multistage separation system

Abstract

A multistage separation system is provided. The multistage separation system may include a rotary shaft configured to drive a compressor. A rotating separation system may be coupled with the rotary shaft and may have an outlet in fluid communication with an inlet of the compressor. A static separation system may be coupled with a front end portion of the rotating separation system. The static separation system may include an axial inlet configured to receive a fluid and a static separation curve fluidly coupled with and disposed radially outward of the axial inlet. The static separation curve may include an outlet fluidly coupled with an inlet of the rotating separation system.

We claim: 
     
       1. A multistage separation system, comprising:
 a rotary shaft configured to drive a compressor; 
 a rotating separation system coupled with the rotary shaft and having an outlet in fluid communication with an inlet of the compressor; 
 a static separation system coupled with a front end portion of the rotating separation system, the static separation system comprising:
 an axial inlet configured to receive a fluid; and 
 a static separation curve fluidly coupled with and disposed radially outward of the axial inlet, the static separation curve having an outlet fluidly coupled with an inlet of the rotating separation system. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The multistage separation system of  claim 1 , wherein the static separation system comprises a static separation housing coupled with the front end portion of the rotating separation system, the static separation housing at least partially defining the axial inlet and the static separation curve of the static separation system. 
     
     
       3. The multistage separation system of  claim 2 , wherein the front end portion of the rotating separation system defines a flange, and the static separation housing is bolted to the flange. 
     
     
       4. The multistage separation system of  claim 1 , wherein the front end portion of the rotating separation system at least partially defines the inlet of the rotating separation system. 
     
     
       5. The multistage separation system of  claim 1 , wherein the outlet of the static separation curve is disposed radially outward of the inlet of the rotating separation system. 
     
     
       6. The multistage separation system of  claim 1 , wherein the static separation curve includes at least a 130 degree turn and is configured to receive the fluid from the axial inlet and separate at least a portion of a liquid from the fluid. 
     
     
       7. The multistage separation system of  claim 6 , wherein the static separation system further comprises a static separation chamber configured to receive the at least a portion of the liquid separated from the fluid. 
     
     
       8. The multistage separation system of  claim 7 , wherein the rotating separation system further comprises a fluid drain outlet fluidly coupled with the static separation chamber such that the fluid drain outlet and the static separation chamber are maintained at a common pressure. 
     
     
       9. The multistage separation system of  claim 1 , wherein the rotating separation system further comprises a fluid drain outlet fluidly coupled with a static separation chamber of the static separation system. 
     
     
       10. The multistage separation system of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the static separation curve is configured to receive the fluid from the axial inlet and separate at least a portion of a liquid from the fluid, 
 the static separation chamber is configured to receive the at least a portion of the liquid separated from the fluid, and 
 the fluid drain outlet and the static separation chamber are maintained at a common pressure. 
 
     
     
       11. The multistage separation system of  claim 1 , wherein the axial inlet is disposed axially adjacent the front end portion of the rotating separation system.